MORE WONDERFUL TRIALS FROM SOME BIG NAMES
Ian Fortune
In our continued look back at some of the great trials of the past, we have two more that are more than worthy of inclusion.
Our thanks to Peter Crawford, who was back in touch, and Eric Curry for pointing out a couple of gems.
FLYING FACTOR WITH AN INCREDIBLE FIRST MARK
Peter reminded us of the brilliant qualifying trial of Droopys Factor back in July 2019.
At the time the track record stood at 18.33, which had been posted just two months earlier by one of the greatest sprinters of all time, Ardnasool Jet.
Droopys Factor, in what was his first public trial, posted a scarcely believable 18.30, some three spots inside one of the great track records of the time. The Ian Reilly trained star seemed to have the world at his feet. A week later he would clock 28.21 in his first four bend trial.
It was perhaps no surprise to see him reach the Juvenile Derby decider, finishing third to Broadstrand Bono. He was renamed by this point, racing as Deanridge Sirius and soon journeyed to the UK. Despite the brilliant start to his career, he would never reach the heights many thought likely with the remainder of his career a bit stop start. But as qualifying trials or first marks go, to go under the sprint record at Shelbourne was as good as it gets.
PANTHER WAS A MACHINE
Eric Curry also reminded us of a couple of trials well worth their inclusion in the list.
The first he spoke of was a 525yd spin for Milldean Panther in April 2012. He was a sensation in the second half of 2011 and first half of 2012, winning his first twelve career starts.
During that run he broke the track record at Shelbourne Park, lowering the mark to 28.00, so it would have been no shock to see him fly around Curraheen Park in a trial. It was April 7th, 2012 when the brilliant son of Derby champion College Causeway posted 27.87 in a solo.
To highlight the brilliance of the trial, the record at that time was shared by Droopys Robinho and Ardkill Jamie at 28.03. Sadly, Milldean Panther would have only a handful of races after the trial with persistent injuries plaguing the star but he really was a machine in his prime.
MAGICAL TRIAL RUN FROM MARY
Staying at Curraheen Park, the second trial Eric highlighted was that of a flying female.
In recent weeks, Magical Mary has been making the headlines as a brood bitch with her sons Magical Luka, Magical Major and Coloursaregreen all emerging as serious performers.
It is no surprise that Magical Mary is throwing stars as she was the most exceptionally fast performer, debuting in 28.10 around Limerick and winning races over 525, 575, 600 and 750yds as well as racing to classic glory when winning the 2022 Irish Cesarewitch.
It was in the months after her Cesarewitch success, on her way back from seasonal rest, she had three trials, a sprint at Limerick in which she clocked a rapid 18.38 and a 550 around Curraheen Park in which she posted 29.54.
It was the trial in between these two spins that we will focus on today. Trialling over 525yds at Cork, she flew around in 27.80.
At the time the 2016 track record of Curious Boy sat at 27.85. It was broken later in the year by Droopys Edison and Illnotbeback, with the latter currently holding the record at 27.81. So, the trial of Magical Mary stands out as one of the best of recent years.
Again, our thanks to Peter and Eric for getting in touch. If you can think of any more trials worthy of inclusion, drop us a line at news@grireland.ie